We recommend booking in advance so that you can secure your preferred time slot for the Planetarium show. If you’re not able to book online, please contact us by phone on 01623 552276

You may be able to pay at the door on arrival. We will do our best to accommodate you but cannot guarantee the availability of seats during busy periods.

Please arrive at least 10 minutes ahead of your booked show. If you arrive after your booked time, our team will do their best to accommodate you but availability cannot be guaranteed.

Schools and groups must book in advance.

Opening times vary and are as advertised on our website for specific shows and events. Within reason, we can open at most times for pre-booked schools and groups, subject to the availability of our staff and volunteers.

We welcome group bookings and can tailor a visit programme to suit your preferences. For more information, please visit our group booking page.

Sherwood Observatory is the perfect unique location for birthday parties and special events. Contact us to discuss your event.

The cafe on site is run in conjunction with ATTFE College. Opening times vary depending on the programme of events happening at the venue each day. Please refer to the details on the Cafe page for more information.

We also have picnic tables outside the Planetarium for you to enjoy your own refreshments.

Please note that no food or drink is permitted within the Planetarium auditorium.

Each Planetarium show has a running time of approximately 25 minutes, although they vary. This information is available on the booking page for each event. Most Planetarium shows are complimented by a talk from our presenter, which will include topical information such as ‘what’s in the night sky’ and time for questions.

We recommend allowing around 90 minutes in total for your visit. Of course, you are welcome to stay on site to enjoy the cafe and exhibition however readmittance to the planetarium show is not permitted. Please note that for the last Planetarium Show of the day, the cafe will close during your show and will not be open thereafter.

Our address is Coxmoor Road, Sutton-in-Ashfield, NG17 5LF

Our What 3 Words address is ///moon.ridge.soon

Please find our full directions here.

There is a small car park on site, so please lift share or use public transport where possible. We have a few electric vehicle charging points available.

Please see our visiting us page for more information on transport options.

All bookings are non-refundable. In the case you or member(s) of your group are unable to make it on the day, please contact us as soon as possible. We will aim to accommodate you on another date. Please see our terms and conditions for more information.

A carer or personal assistant is free of charge when accompanying a paying visitor. Please bring ID with you, such as your PIP letter or staff ID if visiting with an organisation. Please contact us directly on 01623 552276 or email [email protected]. We will be happy to discuss your needs and book tickets for you.

Assistance/guide dogs are welcome at Sherwood Observatory. They must never be left unattended anywhere in the grounds. Please ensure that you bring water and toileting equipment with you.

Photography is not allowed within the Science Centre, Observatory or Planetarium due to the copyright of our exhibits and shows. Personal photography is permitted in other areas on site, however taking and storing images of other visitors without their consent is not permitted. Please see our terms and conditions.

We hope that you enjoyed your visit to Sherwood Observatory. We would love you to leave a Google or Tripadvisor review so that other visitors know how to find us.

If for any reason you experienced issues making your booking or during your visit the best way to contact us is by telephone on 01623 552276 or by emailing [email protected] so that we can look into your complaint.

Please join our mailing list for regular newsletters featuring the latest events and news from Sherwood Observatory.

For any press queries, advertising or any other enquiries please email [email protected]

All bookings are non-refundable. In the case of a member/all of your group being unable to make it on the day please contact us as soon as possible. We will offer to exchange the admission to another date or give you an open voucher valid for 1 year.

You are welcome to book on multiple Planetarium shows on the same day to extend your visit. Please check our current events to secure your tickets.

We welcome children of all ages to Sherwood Observatory, and many of our events are tailored specifically to inspire our younger viewers.

Children under 16 years qualify for a child ticket for all events.

Children 3 and under qualify for a free ticket on the basis of one paying adult per child. A free ticket must be purchased for each infant for fire safety reasons.

Everyone aged 16 and over must hold an adult ticket for entry to all events.

Whenever visiting the observatory, due to our child protection, safeguarding and health & safety policies, children under the age of 16 must be accompanied and supervised by a responsible adult at all times.

Please note that each planetarium show has an advisory age limit and the immersive content may be unsettling for some smaller children, in which case a member of staff will assist you in leaving the auditorium.

The Observatory will be closed from Sunday 22nd December to Tuesday 31st December inclusive. We will reopen for the new year on Wednesday 1st January 2025.

Sherwood Observatory is open 5 days a week, and is normally closed on Sundays and Mondays. Our standard opening hours for planetarium shows are from noon until early evening. Please book a ticket for your chosen event on a day and time that suits you via our Events page.

If you are booking a school or group visit, or private hire, it may be possible for us to accommodate you on our normal closure days. Please contact us via the enquiry form on the relevant page for more details.

If you have booked for a Planetarium show, your time slot is not transferable. We recommend arriving at least 10 minutes before your time slot to avoid disappointment. If you arrive after your allocated time slot, the show may have already started and you may not be able to take your seat. We will do our best to accommodate you in a later showing, but at busy times this may not be possible.

We regularly rotate the Planetarium shows we present in order to allow our audiences to choose and experience something new. Please visit our Planetarium shows page to see what’s on at present.